Ammonia photosynthesis via an association pathway using a plasmonic photoanode and a zirconium cathode. Issue 16 (26th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oshikiri, Tomoya; Ueno, Kosei; Misawa, Hiroaki
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry. Volume 21:Issue 16(2019)
• Page Start: 4443
• Page End: 4448
• Publication Date: 2019-07-26
• Subjects: Environmental chemistry -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1039/c9gc01658a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9262

Abstract

Abstract : Ammonia photosynthesis under visible light irradiation via an associative pathway using a plasmonic photoanode and a zirconium cathode is proposed. Abstract : Most conventional photoelectrochemical-based methods for synthesizing NH3 show low selectivity due to the generation of H2 as a by-product. In principle, two types of reaction mechanisms can occur in the reduction of N2 to NH3 . One is an associative pathway in which N2 molecules on the catalyst are hydrogenated. The other is a dissociative pathway in which nitrogen and hydrogen react after the cleavage of the strong N2 triple bond. Understanding the mechanism of NH3 formation on the electrode will facilitate the development of selective and efficient NH3 synthesis techniques. In this study, we constructed a two-electrode system composed of a strontium titanate photocatalytic anode in which the plasmon effect is expressed by plasmonic gold nanoparticles and a zirconium cathode, which was connected to the external circuit to investigate the reaction by electrochemical analysis in addition to analysis of the product. The bias and pH dependences of the reaction were then systematically investigated, and the plasmon-induced synthesis of NH3 on Zr was proposed to proceed via an associative pathway.